Display apparatus

ABSTRACT

A display apparatus includes a substrate including a trench portion, a display area, and a non-display area. The non-display area includes a first non-display area. The display area includes a main area and first and second display areas protruding from the main area. The first non-display area and the trench portion are between the first and second display areas. The display apparatus further includes: first scan lines transmitting scan signals to pixels in the first display area; second scan lines transmitting scan signals to pixels in the second display area; connection scan lines in the first non-display area and connecting the first scan lines and the second scan lines; and driving voltage lines transmitting driving voltages to pixels in the main area. A plurality of first driving voltage lines among the driving voltage lines extend to the first non-display area, and overlap the plurality of connection scan lines.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2018-0072505, filed on Jun. 25, 2018, in the KoreanIntellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a displayapparatus, and more particularly, to a display apparatus includingdriving voltage lines and connection scan lines.

DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART

A display apparatus is configured to visually display data. A typicaldisplay apparatus includes a substrate divided into a display area and anon-display area. In the display area, a scan line and a data line,insulated from the scan line, are provided, and a plurality of pixelregions are provided in the display area where the scan line and thedata line cross each other. In addition, a plurality of thin-filmtransistors (TFT) and a plurality of pixel electrodes electricallyconnected to a TFT of the plurality of TFTs are provided in the displayarea, and each of the plurality of pixel regions corresponds to a TFT ofthe plurality of TFTs and a pixel electrode of the plurality of pixelelectrodes. In addition, an opposite electrode is provided in thedisplay area commonly for the pixel regions. Various wires transmittingan electric signal to the display area, a scan driver, a data driver,and a controller may be provided in the non-display area.

The display apparatuses are being designed to have reduced thicknessesand light weights. Designs of a shape of the display area are beingmodified as a shape of the display apparatuses changes.

SUMMARY

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a displayapparatus includes a substrate including a trench portion, a displayarea that displays an image, and a non-display area at least partiallysurrounding the display area. The non-display area includes a firstnon-display area. The display area includes a main area, a first displayarea, and a second display area. The first display area and the seconddisplay area protrude from a first side of the main area with the firstnon-display area disposed therebetween. The trench portion protrudestowards the display area and is provided between the first display areaand the second display area. The display apparatus further includes: aplurality of first scan lines provided on the substrate, extending in afirst direction, and transmitting scan signals to a plurality of pixelsincluded in the first display area; a plurality of second scan linestransmitting scan signals to a plurality of pixels included in thesecond display area; a plurality of connection scan lines provided inthe first non-display area and connecting the plurality of first scanlines and the plurality of second scan lines to each other; and aplurality of driving voltage lines extending in a second directioncrossing the first direction and transmitting driving voltages to aplurality of pixels included in the main area. A plurality of firstdriving voltage lines among the plurality of driving voltage linesextend to the first non-display area, and overlap the plurality ofconnection scan lines with an insulating layer disposed therebetween.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the non-displayarea further includes a second non-display area provided adjacent to themain area. The plurality of driving voltage lines extend from a firstpower voltage line extending in the first direction along a second sideof the main area in the second non-display area. At least one of theplurality of first driving voltage lines has a length different fromthat of other first driving voltage lines.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the numbers of theplurality of connection scan lines overlapping each of the plurality offirst driving voltage lines are the same.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plurality ofconnection scan lines are curved.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plurality ofconnection scan lines includes a connection scan line adjacent to thetrench portion and a connection scan line adjacent to the main area. Theconnection scan line adjacent to the trench portion is longer than theconnection scan line adjacent to the main area.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plurality ofconnection scan lines includes a connection scan line adjacent to thetrench portion and a connection scan line adjacent to the main area. Awidth of the connection scan line adjacent to the trench portion isgreater than a width of the connection scan line adjacent to the mainarea.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plurality ofconnection scan lines, the plurality of first scan lines, and theplurality of second scan lines are provided on a same layer.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the displayapparatus further includes a plurality of additional load layersprovided in the first non-display area and overlapping the plurality ofconnection scan lines. The plurality of additional load layers aredisposed on the substrate. The plurality of connection lines aredisposed on the additional load layers, and the plurality of firstdriving voltage lines are disposed on the plurality of connection scanlines.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the numbers of theplurality of connection scan lines overlapping each of the plurality ofadditional load layers are the same.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each of theplurality of pixels included in the display area includes: a thin-filmtransistor including a semiconductor layer and a data line connected tothe thin-film transistor. The plurality of additional load layers areprovided on a same layer as the semiconductor layer, and the pluralityof first driving voltage lines are provided on a same layer as the dataline.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plurality ofadditional load layers extend in the second direction and at leastpartially overlap the plurality of first driving voltage lines.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plurality ofadditional load layers extend in the second direction and are spacedapart from each other.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the displayapparatus further includes a plurality of connection wires crossing theplurality of first driving voltage lines. The plurality of connectionwires connects the plurality of first driving voltage lines to eachother.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plurality offirst driving voltage lines are covered by an inorganic protectionlayer.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a displayapparatus includes a substrate including a penetrating portion, a firstnon-display area provided adjacent to the penetrating portion, a firstdisplay area, and a second display area spaced apart from the firstdisplay area. The penetrating portion penetrates a top surface of thesubstrate and a bottom surface, opposite the top surface, of thesubstrate, and the first non-display area separates the first displayarea from the second display area. The display apparatus furtherincludes: a plurality of first scan lines provided on the top surface ofthe substrate, extending in a first direction, and transmitting scansignals to a plurality of pixels included in the first display area; aplurality of second scan lines transmitting scan signals to a pluralityof pixels included in the second display area; a plurality of connectionscan lines provided in the first non-display area and connecting theplurality of first scan lines and the plurality of second scan lines toeach other; and a plurality of first driving voltage lines overlappingthe plurality of connection scan lines with an insulating layer disposedtherebetween.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, at least one of theplurality of first driving voltage lines has a length different fromthat of other first driving voltage lines, and the numbers of theplurality of connection scan lines overlapping each of the plurality offirst driving voltage lines are the same.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, at least one of theplurality of connection scan lines is curved.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plurality ofconnection scan lines, the plurality of first scan lines, and theplurality of second scan lines are provided on a same layer.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plurality ofconnection scan lines includes a first connection scan line and a secondconnection scan line, wherein the first connection scan line is adjacentto the penetrating portion, and the second connection scan line isfarther from penetrating portion than the first connection scan line is.The first connection scan line is longer than the second connection scanline.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each of theplurality of pixels includes a pixel circuit including a thin-filmtransistor and a storage capacitor. Each of the plurality of pixelsfurther includes an organic light-emitting diode electrically connectedto the pixel circuit.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a displayapparatus includes a substrate including an indented region, a displayarea and a non-display area adjacent to the display area. The displayarea includes a main area, a first display area extending from the mainarea, and a second display area extending from the main area. Thenon-display area includes a first non-display area and a secondnon-display area. The indented region is disposed between the firstdisplay area and the second display area and in the first non-displayarea. The display apparatus further includes: a plurality of first scanlines disposed in the first display area and extending along a firstdirection; a plurality of second scan lines disposed in the seconddisplay area and extending along the first direction; a plurality ofconnection scan lines disposed in the first non-display area andconnecting the plurality of first scan lines to the plurality of secondscan lines; a plurality of driving voltage lines disposed in the displayarea and on the plurality of connection scan lines in the firstnon-display area. An insulating layer is disposed between the pluralityof driving voltage lines and the plurality of connection scan lines inthe first non-display area.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plurality ofdriving voltage lines extend from the main area to the first non-displayarea and cross the plurality of connection scan lines in the firstnon-display area.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plurality ofdriving voltage lines includes a first driving voltage line extendingfrom the main area to the first display area and a second drivingvoltage line extending from the main area to the first non-display area,wherein the first driving voltage line has a length greater than that ofthe second driving voltage line.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features of the present invention will become moreapparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a display apparatus according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2 b are circuit diagrams of one pixel of a displayapparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a display apparatus according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a region A of FIG. 3 according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line I-I′ of FIG. 4according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a part of a display apparatus, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view taken along a line of FIG. 6,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view taken along a line of FIG. 6,according to exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a part of a display apparatus, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a part of a display apparatus, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a part of a display apparatus, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a display apparatus according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be describedmore fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to beunderstood that the present invention may be embodied in different formsand thus should not be construed as being limited to the exemplaryembodiments set forth herein.

In drawings, like reference numerals may refer to like elements orfeatures throughout the specification, and thus overlapping orrepetitive descriptions may not be repeated.

“ ” “ ” “ ” “ ” “ ” “ ” “ ” “ ” “ ”It will be understood that when alayer, region, or component is referred to as being “on,” another layer,region, or component, the layer, region, or component can be directly onthe other layer, region, or component or intervening layers, regions, orcomponents may be present.

In the drawings, sizes and thicknesses of elements and components may beexaggerated for clarity.

It will be understood that when a layer, region, or component isreferred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another layer, region,or component, the layers, regions or components may be directlyconnected or coupled to the other layer, region, or component orintervening layers, regions, or components may be present.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a displayapparatus is an apparatus displaying an image, and may be a liquidcrystal display (LCD), an electrophoretic display, an organiclight-emitting display, an inorganic light-emitting display, a fieldemission display, a surface-conduction electron-emitter display, aplasma display, or a cathode ray display.

Hereinafter, an organic light-emitting display is described as anexample of a display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention, but the present invention is not limited thereto,and may be a different type of display apparatus.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a display apparatus according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a substrate 100 of the display apparatus includes,at one side, a trench portion TH protruding into the substrate 100. Forexample, the trench portion TH may be understood as a penetratingportion that is formed by penetrating top and bottom surfaces of thesubstrate 100. As an additional example, the trench portion TH may be anindent in a side of the substrate 100. The trench portion TH may haveany shape. For example, the trench portion TH may have a U shape or apolygonal shape. A module, such as a camera, a speaker, or a sensor, maybe provided in the trench portion TH.

The substrate 100 is divided into a display area DA and a non-displayarea NDA adjacent to the display area DA. For example, non-display areaNDA may at least partially surround the display area DA. The displayarea DA may include a main area Dam, a first display area DA1, and asecond display area DA2. The first display area DA1 and the seconddisplay area DA2 protrude from the main area DAm in a second directionand may be spaced apart from each other at a certain interval in a firstdirection. In other words, the first and second display areas DA1 andDA2 may be provided respectively at left and right sides of the trenchportion TH or a first non-display area NDA1.

The non-display area NDA is an area surrounding an outer region of thedisplay area DA and includes the first non-display area NDA1 and asecond non-display area NDA2. The first non-display area NDA1 is an areaadjacent to the trench portion TH and corresponds to an area providedbetween the first and second display areas DA1 and DA2. The secondnon-display area NDA2 corresponds to an area excluding the firstnon-display area NDA1. For example, the second non-display area NDA2 maybe adjacent to the first non-display area NDA1 and may surround portionsof the display area DA that are not surrounded by the first non-displayarea NDA1.

Pixels P connected to scan lines SL, first scan lines SL1 i, and secondscan lines SL2 i extending in the first direction, and data lines DLextending in the second direction crossing the first direction areprovided in the display area DA. In addition, each pixel P is connectedto a driving voltage line PL extending in the second direction.

Each pixel P may emit, for example, red, green, blue, or white light,and for example, may include an organic light-emitting diode. Inaddition, each pixel P may further include a device, such as a thin-filmtransistor (TFT), a storage capacitor, or the like. The display area DAprovides an image through light emitted from the pixels P. The pixels Pmay be provided in an n×m matrix array, and n and m are real numbersgreater than zero.

In the present specification, as described above, the pixel P may be asub-pixel emitting red, green, blue, or white light.

The non-display area NDA is an area where the pixels P are not providedand does not provide an image. A first power voltage line 10 and asecond power voltage line 20 applying different power voltages may beprovided in the non-display area NDA. In addition, a first scan driver30, a second scan driver 40, and a terminal unit 50 may be provided inthe non-display area NDA.

The first power voltage line 10 may be provided to correspond to abottom portion of the display area DA, e.g., a bottom portion of themain area DAm, in the second non-display area NDA2. The plurality ofdriving voltage lines PL transmitting a driving voltage to the pluralityof pixels P arranged in the display area DA may be connected to thefirst power voltage line 10. In addition, the first power voltage line10 may be connected to a first terminal 52 of the terminal unit 50.

The second power voltage line 20 may partially surround the display areaDA in the first non-display area NDA1 and the second non-display areaNDA2. The second power voltage line 20 provided in the first non-displayarea NDA1 may be curved according to a shape of the trench portion TH.The second power voltage line 20 may extend along sides of the displayarea DA, and may not completely extend along the same side of thedisplay area DA that the first power voltage line 10 extends along. Forexample, the second power voltage line 20 may not overlap the firstpower voltage line 10 in the second direction. The second power voltageline 20 may be connected to a second terminal 53 of the terminal unit50.

The first and second scan drivers 30 and 40 are provided in the secondnon-display area NDA2. The first and second drivers 30 and 40 may beprovided at opposite sides of the main area DAm of the display area DA.For example, the first scan driver 30 may be provided to correspond toleft sides of the main area DAm and the first display area DA1, and thesecond scan driver 40 may be provided to correspond to right sides ofthe main area DAm and the second display area DA2. A scan signalgenerated in the first scan driver 30 may be provided to some pixels Pthrough the first scan lines SL1 i, wherein i is a value from 1 to n,and a scan signal generated in the second scan driver 40 may be providedto some pixels P through the second scan lines SL2 i.

The first and second scan drivers 30 and 40 are provided on two sides ofthe display area DA and may perform dual-scanning. For example, thefirst scan driver 30 may generate and transmit a scan signal to somepixels P among the pixels P provided in the display area DA, and thesecond scan driver 40 may generate and transmit a scan signal toremaining pixels P among the pixels P provided in the display area DA.The first and second scan drivers 30 and 40 may be synchronized by asynchronized clock signal.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thepixels P provided in the first display area DA1 may receive the scansignal generated in the first scan driver 30, and the pixels P providedin the second display area DA2 may receive the scan signal generated inthe second scan driver 40. However, the current embodiment is notlimited thereto. According to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, one of the first and second scan drivers 30 and 40 may not beprovided.

The terminal unit 50 is provided in the second non-display area NDA2 andincludes a plurality of terminals, e.g., a terminal 51, the second andthird terminals 53 and 54. The terminal unit 50 may be exposed by notbeing covered by an insulating layer and may be electrically connectedto a controller, such as a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) or adriving integrated circuit (IC) chip. The controller changes a pluralityof image signals transmitted from an external source to a plurality ofimage data signals and transmits the image data signals to the displayarea DA through the terminal 51. In addition, the controller maygenerate control signals for controlling driving of the first and secondscan drivers 30 and 40 upon receiving a vertical synchronization signal,a horizontal synchronization signal, and a clock signal, and transmitthe control signals through the third terminal 54. The controller maytransmit different voltages to the first and second power voltage lines10 and 20 through the first and second terminals 52 and 53.

The first power voltage line 10 may provide a first power voltage ELVDDto each pixel P, and the second power voltage line 20 may provide asecond power voltage ELVSS to each pixel P. For example, the first powervoltage ELVDD may be provided to each pixel P through the drivingvoltage line PL connected to the first power voltage line 10. The secondpower voltage ELVSS may reach a cathode of an organic light-emittingdiode included in each pixel P, in the non-display area NDA.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are circuit diagrams of one pixel P of a displayapparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 2A, each pixel P includes a pixel circuit PC connectedto the scan line SL and the data line DL, and an organic light-emittingdiode OLED connected to the pixel circuit PC.

The pixel circuit PC includes a driving TFT T1, a switching TFT T2, anda storage capacitor Cst. The switching TFT T2 is connected to the scanline SL and the data line DL, and transmits a data signal Dm receivedthrough the data line DL to the driving TFT T1 according to a first scansignal Sn received through the scan line SL.

The storage capacitor Cst is connected to the switching TFT T2 and thedriving voltage line PL and stores a voltage corresponding to adifference between a voltage received from the switching TFT T2 and thefirst power voltage ELVDD (or a driving voltage) supplied to the drivingvoltage line PL.

The driving TFT T1 is connected to the driving voltage line PL, theswitching TFT T2, and the storage capacitor Cst and may control adriving current flowing from the driving voltage line PL to the organiclight-emitting diode OLED according to a value of a voltage stored inthe storage capacitor Cst. The organic light-emitting diode OLED mayemit light having certain luminance according to the driving current.

In FIG. 2A, the pixel circuit PC includes two TFTs and one storagecapacitor, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the pixel circuit PC may include driving andswitching TFTs T1 and T2, a compensation TFT T3, a first initializationTFT T4, a first emission control TFT T5, a second emission control TFTT6, and a second initialization TFT T7.

In FIG. 2B, signal lines (a scan line SLn, a previous scan line SLn-1,an emission control line EL, and the data line DL), an initializationvoltage line VL, and the driving voltage line PL are provided in eachpixel P, but an the present invention is not limited thereto. Accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, at least one of thesignal lines and/or the initialization voltage line VL may be sharedbetween neighboring pixels P.

A drain electrode of the driving TFT T1 may be electrically connected tothe organic light-emitting diode OLED through the second emissioncontrol TFT T6. The driving TFT T1 supplies a driving current to theorganic light-emitting diode OLED by receiving the data signal Dmaccording to a switching operation of the switching TFT T2.

A gate electrode of the switching TFT T2 is connected to the scan lineSL, and a source electrode of the switching TFT T2 is connected to thedata line DL. A drain electrode of the switching TFT T2 may be connectedto a source electrode of the driving TFT T1 while being connected to thedriving voltage line PL through the first emission control TFT T5.

The switching TFT T2 is turned on according to the first scan signal Snreceived through the scan line SL, and performs a switching operation inwhich the data signal Dm transmitted to the data line DL is transmittedto the source electrode of the driving TFT T1.

A gate electrode of the compensation TFT T3 may be connected to the scanline SLn. A source electrode of the compensation TFT T3 is connected tothe drain electrode of the driving TFT T1 while being connected to apixel electrode of the organic light-emitting diode OLED through thesecond emission control TFT T6. A drain electrode of the compensationTFT T3 may be connected together with any one of the electrodes of thestorage capacitor Cst, a source electrode of the first initializationTFT T4, and the gate electrode of the driving TFT T1. The compensationTFT T3 may be turned on according to the first scan signal Sn receivedthrough the scan line SL, and the organic light-emitting diode OLEDconnects to the driving TFT T1 by connecting the gate electrode and thedrain electrode of the driving TFT T1 to each other.

A gate electrode of the first initialization TFT T4 may be connected tothe previous scan line SLn-1. A drain electrode of the firstinitialization TFT T4 may be connected to the initialization voltageline VL. The source electrode of the first initialization TFT T4 may beconnected together with any one of the electrodes of the storagecapacitor Cst, the drain electrode of the compensation TFT T3, and thegate electrode of the driving TFT T1. The first initialization TFT T4 isturned on according to a second scan signal Sn-1 received through theprevious scan line SLn-1 and may perform an initialization operation inwhich a voltage of the gate electrode of the driving TFT T1 isinitialized by transmitting an initialization voltage VINT to the gateelectrode of the driving TFT T1.

A gate electrode of the first emission control TFT T5 may be connectedto the emission control line EL. A source electrode of the firstemission control TFT T5 may be connected to the driving voltage line PL.A drain electrode of the first emission control TFT T5 may be connectedto the source electrode of the driving TFT T1 and the drain electrode ofthe switching TFT 12.

A gate electrode of the second emission control TFT T6 may be connectedto the emission control line EL. A source electrode of the secondemission control TFT T6 may be connected to the drain electrode of thedriving TFT T1 and the source electrode of the compensation TFT T3. Adrain electrode of the second emission control TFT T6 may beelectrically connected to the pixel electrode of the organiclight-emitting diode OLED. The first and second emission control TFTs T5and T6 are simultaneously turned on according to an emission controlsignal En received through the emission control line EL, and thus, thefirst power voltage ELVDD is transmitted to the organic light-emittingdiode OLED and a driving current flows through the organiclight-emitting diode OLED.

A gate electrode of the second initialization TFT T7 may be connected tothe previous scan line SLn-1. A source electrode of the secondinitialization TFT T7 may be connected to the pixel electrode of theorganic light-emitting diode OLED. A drain electrode of the secondinitialization TFT T7 may be connected to the initialization voltageline VL. The second initialization TFT T7 is turned on according to thesecond scan signal Sn-1 received through the previous scan line SLn-1 toinitialize the pixel electrode of the organic light-emitting diode OLED.

In FIG. 2B, the first and second initialization TFTs T4 and T7 areconnected to the previous scan line SLn-1, but the present invention isnot limited thereto. According to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, the first initialization TFT T4 may be driven according tothe second scan signal Sn-1 by being connected to the previous scan lineSLn-1, and the second initialization TFT T7 may be driven according to asignal transmitted to a corresponding scan line by being connected to aseparate signal line (for example, a subsequent scan line).

The other electrode of the storage capacitor Cst may be connected to thedriving voltage line PL. Any one of the electrodes of the storagecapacitor Cst may also be connected to the gate electrode of the drivingTFT T1, the drain electrode of the compensation TFT T3, and the sourceelectrode of the first initialization TFT T4.

An opposite electrode (for example, a cathode) of the organiclight-emitting diode OLED receives the second power voltage ELVSS (or,e.g., a common power voltage). The organic light-emitting diode OLEDemits light by receiving a driving current from the driving TFT T1.

The pixel circuit PC is not limited to a circuit design or the numbersof TFTs and storage capacitors described above with reference to FIGS.2A and 2B, and the circuit design and the number of TFTs and storagecapacitors Cst may vary.

Hereinafter, a display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3through 5.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a display apparatus according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of aregion A of FIG. 3 according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the display area DA includes the first and seconddisplay areas DA1 and DA2 that are spaced apart from each other with thetrench portion TH therebetween, and thus, lengths of a plurality ofdriving voltage lines PL1, PLj, and PL2 extending from the first powervoltage line 10 in the second direction may vary according to a locationof the driving voltage line PL. In other words, the lengths of thedriving voltage lines PL1 and PL2 extending to the first and seconddisplay areas DA1 and DA2 from the first power line 10 may be longerthan the length of the driving voltage line PLj extending to a regionbetween the first and second display areas DA1 and DA2, e.g., to thefirst non-display area NDA1, from the first power line 10. For example,the driving voltage line PLj may have a shorter length than that of thedriving voltage lines PL1 and PL2 because the driving voltage line PLjextends from the first power line 10 to the trench TH.

In a display apparatus according to a comparative example having adisplay area of a rectangular shape, lengths of wires (for example, scanlines) extending in a first direction and lengths of wires (for example,data lines and/or driving voltage lines) extending in a seconddirection, e.g., crossing the first direction, are uniform, and thus,values of parasitic capacitance generated per pixel are uniform.

However, in the current embodiment, the first and second display areasDA1 and DA2 are provided, and thus lengths of wires extending in thefirst direction or the second direction may vary according to locations.Accordingly, parasitic capacitance or load generated in the first andsecond display areas DA1 and DA2 may be different from that in the mainarea DAm of the display area DA. Due to such a difference in theparasitic capacitance or load, luminance deviation may occur between themain area DAm and the first display area DA1 or between the firstdisplay area DA1 and the second display area DA2.

Referring to FIG. 4, in the current embodiment, connection scan linesCSLi provided in the first non-display area NDA1, in which i is a valuefrom 1 to n (n is a real number greater than 1), and driving voltagelines PLj overlapping the connection scan lines CSLi, in which j is avalue from 1 to m (m may be a real number greater than 1), are providedto adjust the parasitic capacitance or load of the first and seconddisplay areas DA1 and DA2.

The first display area DA1 includes the plurality of first scan linesSL1 i providing scan signals respectively to the plurality of pixels P,in which i is a value from 1 to n, in which n is a natural number, andthe second display area DA2 includes the plurality of second scan linesSL2 i providing scan signals respectively to the pixels P. The firstscan lines SL1 i may transmit a scan signal generated by the first scandriver 30, and the second scan line SL2 i may transmit a scan signalgenerated by the second scan driver 40.

In other words, when the first and second scan drivers 30 and 40 areprovided on two sides of the display area DA, the pixels P of the firstdisplay area DA1 may receive the scan signals through the first scanlines SL1 i, and the pixels P of the second display area DA2 may receivethe scan signals through the second scan line SL2 i, and thus, thedisplay apparatus may be driven without the first and second lines SL1 iand SL2 i being connected to each other.

In addition, in the current embodiment, the plurality of first scanlines SL1 i and the plurality of second scan lines SL2 i are connectedto each other by the plurality of connection scan lines CSLi. Forexample, a first scan line SL1 a in an a^(th) row is connected to asecond scan line SL2 a in the a^(th) row by a connection scan line CSLain the a^(th) row, and a second scan line SL1 b in a b^(th) row isconnected to a second scan line SL2 b in the b^(th) row by a connectionscan line CSLb in the b^(th) row. The plurality of connection scan linesCSLi are provided in the first non-display area NDA1, and may be curvedor bent according to the shape of the trench portion TH. The pluralityof connection scan lines CSLi may be arranged on a same layer as theplurality of first scan lines SL1 i and the plurality of second scanlines SL2 i. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Forexample, the plurality of connection scan lines CSLi may be arranged ona different layer from that of the plurality of first scan lines SL1 iand the plurality of second scan lines SL2 i and connected to theplurality of first scan lines SL1 i and the plurality of second scanlines SL2 i each through a through hole.

Such a connection scan line CSLi not only transmits a scan signal, butalso adjusts the load of the first and second display areas DA1 and DA2.

In addition, to adjust the load of the first and second display areasDA1 and DA2, the plurality of driving voltage lines PLj extending in thesecond direction overlap on the plurality of connection scan lines CSLiwith an insulating layer disposed therebetween. Accordingly, nodecapacitor Cn (see, e.g., FIG. 5) may be formed from the plurality ofconnection scan lines CSLi and the driving voltage lines PLj.

Lengths of the driving voltage lines PLj provided in the firstnon-display area NDA1 and arranged along the first direction may varyaccording to the shape of the trench portion TH. For example, when thetrench portion TH has a U-shape, the lengths of the driving voltagelines PLj may gradually increase from a center portion CP or a centerline CL towards edges of the trench portion TH. For example, the lengthof the driving voltage lines PLj may gradually increase as theirdistance from the center line CL or center portion CP increases in thefirst direction. For example, the center portion CP or the center lineCL may correspond to a portion of the trench TH with the largest indentinto the substrate 100. Here, the numbers of plurality of connectionscan lines CSLi overlapping each of the driving voltage lines PLj may bethe same. In other words, the number of connection scan lines CSLioverlapping a driving voltage line PLc arranged near the center portionCP or the center line CL may be the same as the number of connectionscan lines CSLi overlapping a driving voltage line PLe arranged near theedges of the trench portion TH.

The driving voltage line PLc may be arranged on a same layer as thesecond power voltage line 20. In this case, an end portion of thedriving voltage line PLj may be spaced apart from the second powervoltage line 20.

In addition, the driving voltage lines PL1 and PL2 provided in the firstand second display areas DA1 and DA2 may not extend up to thenon-display area NDA, but may be provided only in the first and seconddisplay areas DA1 and DA2.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line I-I′ of FIG. 4according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5illustrates the driving and switching TFTs T1 and T2 and the storagecapacitor Cst among the pixel circuit PC of each pixel P described abovewith reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention. For convenience of description, elements orlayers of FIG. 5 are described in an order in which they may be stacked.

Referring to FIG. 5, the pixel P is provided in the display area DA, andthe node capacitor Cn is formed as the connection scan line CSLi and thedriving voltage line PLj overlap each other in the first non-displayarea NDA1.

First, referring to the display area DA, a buffer layer 101 is providedon the substrate 100, and the driving and switching TFTs T1 and T2 andthe storage capacitor Cst are provided on the buffer layer 101.

The substrate 100 may include any one of various materials, for example,a glass material and a plastic material such as polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), and polyimide. Thesubstrate 100 may be more flexible when the substrate 100 includes aplastic material than when the substrate 100 includes a glass material.The buffer layer 101 formed of, for example, silicon oxide (SiOx) and/orsilicon nitride (SiNx) may be provided on the substrate 100 to preventimpurities from penetrating elements and components of the displayapparatus.

The driving TFT T1 includes a driving semiconductor layer A1 and adriving gate electrode G1, and the switching TFT T2 includes a switchingsemiconductor layer A2 and a switching gate electrode G2. A first gateinsulating layer 103 is provided between the driving semiconductor layerA1 and the driving gate electrode G1 and between the switchingsemiconductor layer A2 and the switching gate electrode G2. The firstgate insulating layer 103 may include an inorganic insulating material,such as silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon nitride (SiNx), or siliconoxynitride (SiON).

The driving semiconductor layer A1 and the switching semiconductor layerA2 may include polysilicon. The driving semiconductor layer A1 includesa driving channel region overlapping the driving gate electrode G1 andis not doped with an impurity, and driving source and drain regionsprovided on two sides of the driving channel region and are doped withan impurity. A driving source electrode S1 and a driving drain electrodeD1 may be respectively connected to the driving source region and thedriving drain region.

The switching semiconductor layer A2 may include a switching channelregion overlapping the switching gate electrode G2 and is not doped withan impurity, and switching source and drain regions provided on twosides of the switching channel region and are doped with an impurity. Aswitching source electrode S2 and a switching drain electrode D2 may berespectively connected to the switching source region and the switchingdrain region.

The driving and switching gate electrodes G1 and G2 may include, forexample, molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), and/or titanium(Ti), and may include a single layer or multiple layers. For example,the driving and switching gate electrodes G1 and G2 may be a singlelayer of Mo.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thestorage capacitor Cst may overlap the driving TFT T1. In this case,areas of the storage capacitor Cst and the driving TFT T1 may beincreased, and a high-quality image may be provided. For example, thedriving gate electrode G1 may be a first storage capacitor plate CE1. Asecond storage capacitor plate CE2 may overlap the first storagecapacitor plate CE1 with a second gate insulating layer 105 disposedtherebetween. The second gate insulating layer 105 may include, forexample, an inorganic insulating material, such as silicon oxide (SiOx),silicon nitride (SiNx), and/or silicon oxynitride (SiON).

The driving and switching TFTs T1 and T2 and the storage capacitor Cstmay be covered by an interlayer insulating layer 107. The interlayerinsulating layer 107 may be an inorganic material layer including, forexample, silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon nitride (SiNx), and/or siliconoxynitride (SiON). The data line DL and the driving voltage line PL2 maybe provided on the interlayer insulating layer 107. The data line DLreaches the switching semiconductor layer A2 of the switching TFT T2through a contact hole penetrating the interlayer insulating layer 107,the second gate insulating layer 105 and the first gate insulating layer103. The data line DL may function as the switching source electrode S2.For example, the data line DL and the switching source electrode S2 maybe formed together. In addition, the driving source electrode S1, thedriving drain electrode D1, the switching source electrode S2, and theswitching drain electrode D2 may be provided on the interlayerinsulating layer 107, and may reach the driving semiconductor layer A1or the switching semiconductor layer A2 through a contact holepenetrating the interlayer insulating layer 107. For example, thedriving source electrode S1 and the driving drain electrode D1 may reachthe driving semiconductor layer A1, and the switching source electrodeS2 and the switching drain electrode D2 may reach the switchingsemiconductor layer A2.

The driving voltage line PL2, the data line DL, the driving sourceelectrode S1 the driving drain electrode D1, the switching sourceelectrode S2, and the switching drain electrode D2 may be covered by aninorganic protection layer PVX.

The inorganic protection layer PVX may be a single layer or multilayerof, for example, silicon nitride (SiNx) and/or silicon oxide (SiOx). Theinorganic protection layer PVX may cover and protect some wires exposedin the non-display area NDA. Wires formed during a same process as thedata line DL or the driving voltage line PL2 may be exposed in a partialregion (for example, a part of the non-display area NDA) of thesubstrate 100. The exposed wires may be damaged by an etchant used topattern a pixel electrode 310 described later, but since the inorganicprotection layer PVX protects the data line DL and at least some of thewires formed together with the data line DL in the current embodiment,the wires may be prevented from being damaged during a patterningprocess of the pixel electrode 310.

In addition, the inorganic protection layer PVX may be formed via anyone of various deposition methods, such as a sputtering process, achemical vapor deposition (CVD) process, and a plasma-enhanced chemicalvapor deposition (PECVD) process. When such a deposition method is used,the data line DL and the driving voltage line PL2, which are metalwires, may be damaged by static electricity or plasma because the dataline DL and the driving voltage line PL2 are exposed.

In the current embodiment, nodes of the first display area DA1, thesecond display area DA2, and the main area DAm are uniformly adjusted byemploying the node capacitor Cn, and thus, the damage caused by staticelectricity or plasma may be prevented.

A via layer 109 and an organic insulating layer 111 may be planarizationinsulating layers, and may include an organic material. Examples of theorganic material include a polymer, such as imide-based polymer,polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), and polystyrene (PS), polymer derivativeshaving a phenol-based group, acryl-based polymer, aryl ether-basedpolymer, amide-based polymer, fluorine-based polymer, p-xylene-basedpolymer, vinyl alcohol-based polymer, and a blend thereof. The via layer109 may include an organic material, and materials thereof are asdescribed above. In addition, the via layer 109 may include an inorganicmaterial, such as silicon oxynitride (SiON), silicon oxide (SiOx),and/or silicon nitride (SiNx).

An additional driving voltage line PL′ may be provided on the via layer109. For example, the additional driving voltage line PL′ may beprovided above the via layer 109. The additional driving voltage linePL′ may be a single layer or a multilayer structure including at leastone of, for example, aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), titanium (Ti), and analloy thereof. According to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, the additional driving voltage line PL′ may be, for example,a triple layer of Ti/Al/Ti. The additional driving voltage line PL′ mayreduce resistance by being connected to the driving voltage line PL2through a through hole formed in the via layer 109.

The organic light-emitting diode OLED including the pixel electrode 310,an opposite electrode 330, and an intermediate layer 320 that isdisposed therebetween and includes an emission layer may be provided onthe organic insulating layer 111.

A pixel-defining layer 113 may be provided on the pixel electrode 310.The pixel-defining layer 113 may have an opening exposing the pixelelectrode 310. In addition, the pixel-defining layer 113 increases adistance between an edge of the pixel electrode 310 and the oppositeelectrode 330, thereby preventing generation of an arc therebetween. Thepixel-defining layer 113 may be formed of, for example, an organicmaterial such as polyimide or hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO).

The intermediate layer 320 may include a low molecular weight materialor a high molecular weight material. When the intermediate layer 320includes a low molecular weight material, the intermediate layer 320 mayhave a structure in which a hole injection layer (HIL), a hole transportlayer (HTL), an emission layer (EML), an electron transport layer (ETL),and an electron injection layer (EIL) are stacked in a single or complexstructure, and may include various organic materials, such as copperphthalocyanine (CuPc), N,N′-Di(naphthalene-1-yl)-N,N′-diphenyl-benzidine(NPB), and tris-8-hydroxyquinoline aluminum (Alq3). Such layers may beformed via a vacuum deposition method.

When the intermediate layer 320 includes a high molecular weightmaterial, the intermediate layer 320 may have a structure including anHTL and an EML. The HTL may include PEDOT and the EML may include a highmolecular weight material, such as poly-phenylenevinylene (PPV)-based orpolyfluorene-based material. A structure of the intermediate layer 320is not limited thereto, and may vary. For example, the intermediatelayer 320 may include one single layer throughout the plurality of pixelelectrodes 310, or individual layers patterned to respectivelycorrespond to the plurality of pixel electrodes 310.

The opposite electrode 330 is provided over the display area DA to atleast partially cover the display area DA. In other words, the oppositeelectrode 330 may be integrally formed throughout the plurality oforganic light-emitting diodes OLED to correspond to the plurality ofpixel electrodes 310. For example, the opposite electrode 330 may besingle structure.

Since the organic light-emitting diode OLED may be easily damaged byexternal moisture or oxygen, the organic light-emitting diode OLED maybe covered and protected by a thin encapsulation layer 400. The thinencapsulation layer 400 may extend up to the display area DA whilecovering the display area DA. The thin encapsulation layer 400 includes,for example, at least one organic encapsulation layer and at least oneinorganic encapsulation layer. For example, the thin encapsulation layer400 may include a first inorganic encapsulation layer 410, an organicencapsulation layer 420, and a second inorganic encapsulation layer 430.

The first inorganic encapsulation layer 410 covers the oppositeelectrode 330, and may include, for example, silicon oxide, siliconnitride, and/or silicon oxynitride. Although not illustrated, anotherlayer, such as a capping layer, may be disposed between the firstinorganic encapsulation layer 410 and the opposite electrode 330. Sincethe first inorganic encapsulation layer 410 is formed on an organiclight emitting diode 300 and layers therebelow, a top surface of thefirst inorganic encapsulation layer 410 may not be flat. For example,the top surface of the first inorganic encapsulation layer 410 may beuneven. The organic encapsulation layer 420 covers the first inorganicencapsulation layer 410, and may have a flat top surface unlike thefirst inorganic encapsulation layer 410. For example, the organicencapsulation layer 420 may have a flat top surface at a regioncorresponding to the display area DA. The organic encapsulation layer420 may include at least one of, for example, PET, PEN, polycarbonate,polyimide, polyethylene sulfonate, polyoxymethylene, polyarylate, andHMDSO. The second inorganic encapsulation layer 430 covers the organicencapsulation layer 420, and may include, for example, silicon oxide,silicon nitride, and/or silicon oxynitride.

Even when a crack is generated in the thin encapsulation layer 400, thecrack may not spread between the first inorganic encapsulation layer 410and the organic encapsulation layer 420 or between the organicencapsulation layer 420 and the second inorganic encapsulation layer 430according to the multilayer structure of the thin encapsulation layer400. Accordingly, formation of a path through which external moisture oroxygen may penetrate into the display area DA may be prevented orreduced. Although not illustrated, a polarizing plate may be provided onthe thin encapsulation layer 400 and may be a transparent adhesive. Thepolarizing plate has a structure that may reduce external lightreflection, and a layer including a black matrix and a color filter maybe used instead of the polarizing plate.

The connection scan line CSLi provided in the first non-display areaNDA1 may be provided on a same layer as the driving and switching gateelectrodes G1 and G2. In other words, the connection scan line CSLi maybe provided on the first gate insulating layer 103. For example, theconnection scan line CSLi may be disposed above the first gateinsulating layer 103. In addition, the driving voltage line PLj providedin the first non-display area NDA1 may be provided on a same layer asthe driving voltage line PL and the data line DL of the display area DA.The driving voltage line PLj may be provided on the interlayerinsulating layer 107. The driving voltage line PLj may be disposed abovethe interlayer insulating layer 107. Accordingly, the second gateinsulating layer 105 and the interlayer insulating layer 107 may beprovided between the driving voltage line PLj and the connection scanline CSLi. The driving voltage line PLj may be protected by theinorganic protection layer PVX.

The second power voltage line 20 is provided on the interlayerinsulating layer 107 and is spaced apart from the driving voltage linePLj. The second power voltage line 20 may be connected to the oppositeelectrode 330 of the organic light-emitting diode 300 to transmit thesecond power voltage ELVSS.

A dam portion 120 may be formed in the first non-display area NDA1. Thedam portion 120 is spaced apart from the organic insulating layer 111,and the inorganic protection layer PVX may be provided in a region wherethe dam portion 120 and the organic insulating layer 111 are spacedapart. For example, a portion of the inorganic protection layer PVX maybe disposed between the dam portion 120 and the organic insulating layer111. In addition, the dam portion 120 may cover an end portion of thesecond power voltage line 20.

The organic insulating layer 111 may be formed of an organic material,and when the organic insulating layer 111 is connected to the damportion 120 that is also formed of an organic material, the organicinsulating layer 111 may be vulnerable to penetration of external air ormoisture. In the current embodiment, the organic insulating layer 111and the dam portion 120 is spaced apart from each other with theinorganic protection layer PVX therebetween, and thus, penetration ofexternal air or moisture into the display area DA may be prevented.

The dam portion 120 may include a plurality of dams spaced apart fromeach other. The dam portion 120 is spaced apart from the organicinsulating layer 111 and the pixel-defining layer 113, and may preventan organic material from transferring to an edge of the substrate 100while the organic encapsulation layer 420 of the thin encapsulationlayer 400 is formed. When there is a plurality of dam portions 120, thedam portions 120 may be spaced apart from each other.

The dam portion 120 may have a single layer structure or a multilayerstructure. As illustrated, the dam portion 120 may have a structure inwhich a first layer 120 a and a second layer 120 b are stacked on eachother. In this case, the first layer 120 a may be formed of a samematerial and at the same time as the pixel-defining layer 113. However,the current embodiment is not limited thereto. A structure of the damportion 120 may vary, for example, may be a single layer structure or atleast a three layered structure.

The first and second inorganic encapsulation layers 410 and 430 of thethin encapsulation layer 400 may not directly contact each other outsidethe dam portion 120, and thus the organic encapsulation layer 420 maynot be externally exposed. In other words, penetration of external airor moisture due to an organic material may be prevented.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a part of a display apparatus, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7A is across-sectional view taken along a line II-II′ of FIG. 6, according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7B is across-sectional view taken along a line II-II′ of FIG. 6, according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention. While describing FIGS.6 to 7B, reference numerals that are similar to that of FIGS. 4 and 5may denote like elements, and thus, redundant descriptions may not beprovided again.

Referring to FIG. 6, the display apparatus includes the substrate 100having the trench portion TH led inward from one side of the substrate100, and the substrate 100 includes the first and second display areasDA1 and DA2 spaced apart from each other based on the first non-displayarea NDA1 adjacent to the trench portion TH. For example, the trenchportion TH and the first non-display area NDA1 may be provided betweenthe first and second display areas DA1 and DA2.

The plurality of first scan lines SL1 i transmitting scan signalsrespectively to a plurality of pixels are provided in the first displayarea DA1, and the plurality of second scan lines SL2 i transmitting scansignals respectively to a plurality of pixels are provided in the seconddisplay area DA2.

The plurality of connection scan lines CSLi respectively connecting theplurality of first scan lines SL1 i and the plurality of second scanlines SL2 i are provided in the first non-display area NDA1, and theplurality of driving voltage lines PLj crossing and overlapping theplurality of connection scan lines CSLi are disposed on the plurality ofconnection scan lines CSLi with an insulating layer disposedtherebetween.

A length of at least one of the plurality of driving voltage lines PLjprovided in the first non-display area NDA1 may be different from theothers. The number of connection scan lines CSLi overlapping each of theplurality of driving voltage lines PLj provided in the first non-displayarea NDA1 may be the same throughout the display apparatus. For example,each of the connection scan lines CSLi may cross over each of thedriving voltage lines PLj.

In the current embodiment, a plurality of additional load layers ALoverlapping the plurality of connection scan lines CSLi may be providedin the first non-display area NDA1. The additional load layer AL mayextend in the second direction, and may be provided not to overlap thedriving voltage line PLj, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7A, or may be providedto overlap the driving voltage line PLj, as shown in FIG. 7B.

When the plurality of additional load layers AL overlap the plurality ofconnection scan lines CSLi, parasitic capacitance or a load value may beadjusted. The number of plurality of connection scan lines CSLioverlapping each of the plurality of additional load layers AL may bethe same. For example, each of the connection scan lines CSLi may crossover each of the additional load layers AL.

Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the plurality of additional load layers ALmay be provided on the buffer layer 101. The additional load layer ALmay be formed of the same material and on the same layer as the drivingand switching semiconductor layers A1 and A2. The additional load layerAL may have conductivity by being doped with an impurity.

The connection scan lines CSLi are disposed on the additional loadlayers AL. For example, the additional load layer AL may be providedbelow the connection scan line CSLi with the gate insulating layer 103disposed therebetween, and the driving voltage line PLj is provided onthe connection scan line CSLi. A load value may be adjusted by usingupper and lower regions of the connection scan line CSLi, and thus, adesign range of the load value may be widened,

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a part of a display apparatus, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. While describing FIG. 8,reference numerals that are similar to that of FIG. 4 may denote likeelements, and thus, redundant descriptions may not be provided again.

Referring to FIG. 8, the display apparatus includes the substrate 100having the trench portion TH led inward from one side of the substrate100, and the substrate 100 includes the first and second display areasDA1 and DA2 spaced apart from each other based on the first non-displayarea NDA1 adjacent to the trench portion TH.

The plurality of first scan lines SL1 i transmitting scan signalsrespectively to a plurality of pixels are provided in the first displayarea DA1, and the plurality of second scan lines SL2 i transmitting scansignals respectively to a plurality of pixels are provided in the seconddisplay area DA2.

The plurality of connection scan lines CSLi respectively connecting theplurality of first scan lines SL1 i and the plurality of second scanlines SL2 i are provided in the first non-display area NDA1, and theplurality of driving voltage lines PLj crossing and overlapping theplurality of connection scan lines CSLi are disposed on the plurality ofconnection scan lines CSLi with an insulating layer disposedtherebetween.

A length of at least one of the plurality of driving voltage lines PLjprovided in the first non-display area NDA1 may be different from theothers. The number of connection scan lines CSLi overlapping each of theplurality of driving voltage lines PLj provided in the first non-displayarea NDA1 may be the same.

In the current embodiment, a plurality of additional load layers ALoverlapping the plurality of connection scan lines CSLi may be providedin the first non-display area NDA1. The additional load layer AL′ may bepatterned. For example, some of the additional load layers AL′ mayextend in the second direction at certain intervals. Accordingly, thenumber of connection scan lines CSLi overlapping each of the pluralityof additional load layers AL′ may not be the same. Parasitic capacitanceor a load value may be adjusted by a region where the plurality ofadditional load layers AL′ overlap the plurality of connection scanlines CSLi.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a part of a display apparatus, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. While describing FIG. 9,reference numerals that are similar to that of FIG. 4 may denote likeelements, and thus, redundant descriptions may not be provided again.

Referring to FIG. 9, the display apparatus includes the substrate 100having the trench portion TH led inward from one side of the substrate100, and the substrate 100 includes the first and second display areasDA1 and DA2 spaced apart from each other based on the first non-displayarea NDA1 adjacent to the trench portion TH.

The plurality of first scan lines SL1 i transmitting scan signalsrespectively to a plurality of pixels are provided in the first displayarea DA1, and the plurality of second scan lines SL2 i transmitting scansignals respectively to a plurality of pixels are provided in the seconddisplay area DA2.

The plurality of connection scan lines CSLi respectively connecting theplurality of first scan lines SL1 i and the plurality of second scanlines SL2 i are provided in the first non-display area NDA1, and theplurality of driving voltage lines PLj crossing and overlapping theplurality of connection scan lines CSLi are disposed on the plurality ofconnection scan lines CSLi with an insulating layer disposedtherebetween.

A length of at least one of the plurality of driving voltage lines PLjprovided in the first non-display area NDA1 may be different from theothers. The number of connection scan lines CSLi overlapping each of theplurality of driving voltage lines PLj provided in the first non-displayarea NDA1 may be the same.

In the current embodiment, connection wires PLV and PLV′ connecting thedriving voltage lines PL1, PLj, and PL2 in a transverse direction (e.g.,the first direction) are provided, and the driving voltage lines PL1,PLj, and PL2 and the connection wires PLV and PLV′ may form a meshstructure. Accordingly, the connection wire PLV′ extending in the firstdirection may be provided in the main area Dam. The connection wire PLV′may be formed of a same material and on a same layer as the drivingvoltage lines PL1, PLj, and PL2 to be integrated with the drivingvoltage lines PL1, PLj, and PL2. There may be a plurality of connectionwires PLV′.

The connection wire PLV may also be provided in the first non-displayarea NDA1. In this case, the connection wire PLV may be curved or bentaccording to the shape or curvature of the trench portion TH. Accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connection wirePLV may connect end portions of the driving voltage lines PL1, PLj, andPL2.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a part of a display apparatus, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. While describing FIG. 10,reference numerals that are similar to that of FIG. 4 may denote likeelements, and thus, redundant descriptions may not be provided again.

Referring to FIG. 10, the display apparatus includes the substrate 100having the trench portion TH led inward from one side of the substrate100, and the substrate 100 includes the first and second display areasDA1 and DA2 spaced apart from each other based on the first non-displayarea NDA1 adjacent to the trench portion TH.

The plurality of first scan lines SL1 i transmitting scan signalsrespectively to a plurality of pixels are provided in the first displayarea DA1, and the plurality of second scan lines SL2 i transmitting scansignals respectively to a plurality of pixels are provided in the seconddisplay area DA2.

The plurality of connection scan lines CSLi respectively connecting theplurality of first scan lines SL1 i and the plurality of second scanlines SL2 i are provided in the first non-display area NDA1, and theplurality of driving voltage lines PLj crossing and overlapping theplurality of connection scan lines CSLi are disposed on the plurality ofconnection scan lines CSLi with an insulating layer disposedtherebetween.

A length of at least one of the plurality of driving voltage lines PLjprovided in the first non-display area NDA1 may be different from theothers. The number of connection scan lines CSLi overlapping each of theplurality of driving voltage lines PLj provided in the first non-displayarea NDA1 may be the same. The connection scan line CSLa adjacent to thetrench portion TH among the plurality of connection scan lines CSLi maybe longer than a connection scan line CSLc adjacent to the main areaDAm.

Accordingly, resistance values of the plurality of connection scan linesCSLi may be different from each other.

In the current embodiment, a width Wa of the connection scan line CSLaadjacent to the trench portion TH is greater than a width Wc of theconnection scan line CSLc adjacent to the main area DAm. In other words,widths of the plurality of connection scan lines CSLi may be differentfrom each other, and may be larger towards the trench portion TH, e.g.,Wa>Wb>Wc. Accordingly, the resistance values of the plurality ofconnection scan lines CSLi may be uniform, and thus the load value maybe adjusted.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a display apparatus according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. While describing FIG. 11, referencenumerals that are similar to that of FIG. 3 may denote like elements,and thus, redundant descriptions may not be provided again.

In exemplary embodiments of the present invention described withreference to FIGS. 1 through 10, the trench portion TH obtained byremoving part of one side of the substrate 100 is described, but thesubstrate 100 is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in FIG. 11,a penetrating portion TH′ may be formed through a substrate 100′.

Referring to FIG. 11, the display apparatus includes the substrate 100′having the penetrating portion TH′ that penetrates top and bottomsurfaces of the substrate 100′, and the substrate 100′ includes thefirst and second display areas DA1 and DA2 spaced apart from each otherbased on the first non-display area NDA1 adjacent to the penetratingportion TH′.

The plurality of first scan lines SL1 i transmitting scan signalsrespectively to a plurality of pixels are provided in the first displayarea DA1, and the plurality of second scan lines SL2 i transmitting scansignals respectively to a plurality of pixels are provided in the seconddisplay area DA2.

The plurality of connection scan lines CSLi respectively connecting theplurality of first scan lines SL1 i and the plurality of second scanlines SL2 i are provided in the first non-display area NDA1, and theplurality of driving voltage lines PLj crossing and overlapping theplurality of connection scan lines CSLi are disposed on the plurality ofconnection scan lines CSLi with an insulating layer disposedtherebetween.

A length of at least one of the plurality of driving voltage lines PLjprovided in the first non-display area NDA1 may be different from theothers. The number of plurality of connection scan lines CSLioverlapping each of the plurality of driving voltage lines PLj providedin the first non-display area NDA1 may be the same.

Accordingly, parasitic capacitance and load in the first and seconddisplay areas DA1 and DA2 may be adjusted, thereby preventing luminanceirregularity according to locations in the display area DA.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, nodematching may be achieved by overlapping a driving voltage line and aconnection scan line in a non-display area, and thus a display apparatusmay provide a high-quality image.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be apparent tothose of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form anddetail may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display apparatus, comprising: a substratecomprising a trench portion, a display area that displays an image, anda non-display area at least partially surrounding the display area,wherein the non-display area includes a first non-display area, whereinthe display area comprises a main area, a first display area, and asecond display area, wherein the first display area and the seconddisplay area protrude from a first side of the main area with the firstnon-display area disposed therebetween, and wherein the trench portionprotrudes towards the display area and is provided between the firstdisplay area and the second display area; a plurality of first scanlines provided on the substrate, extending in a first direction, andtransmitting scan signals to a plurality of pixels included in the firstdisplay area; a plurality of second scan lines transmitting scan signalsto a plurality of pixels included in the second display area; aplurality of connection scan lines provided in the first non-displayarea and connecting the plurality of first scan lines and the pluralityof second scan lines to each other; and a plurality of driving voltagelines extending in a second direction crossing the first direction andtransmitting driving voltages to a plurality of pixels included in themain area, wherein a plurality of first driving voltage lines among theplurality of driving voltage lines extend to the first non-display area,and overlap the plurality of connection scan lines with an insulatinglayer disposed therebetween.
 2. The display apparatus of claim 1,wherein the non-display area further comprises a second non-display areaprovided adjacent to the main area, wherein the plurality of drivingvoltage lines extend from a first power voltage line extending in thefirst direction along a second side of the main area in the secondnon-display area, wherein at least one of the plurality of first drivingvoltage lines has a length different from that of other first drivingvoltage lines.
 3. The display apparatus of claim 2, wherein the numbersof the plurality of connection scan lines overlapping each of theplurality of first driving voltage lines are the same.
 4. The displayapparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of connection scan lines arecurved.
 5. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofconnection scan lines includes a connection scan line adjacent to thetrench portion and a connection scan line adjacent to the main area,wherein the connection scan line adjacent to the trench portion islonger than the connection scan line adjacent to the main area.
 6. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of connection scanlines includes a connection scan line adjacent to the trench portion anda connection scan line adjacent to the main area, wherein a width of theconnection scan line adjacent to the trench portion is greater than awidth of the connection scan line adjacent to the main area.
 7. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of connection scanlines, the plurality of first scan lines, and the plurality of secondscan lines are provided on a same layer.
 8. The display apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a plurality of additional load layersprovided in the first non-display area and overlapping the plurality ofconnection scan lines, wherein the plurality of additional load layersare disposed on the substrate, the plurality of connection lines aredisposed on the additional load layers, and the plurality of firstdriving voltage lines are disposed on the plurality of connection scanlines.
 9. The display apparatus of claim 8, wherein the numbers of theplurality of connection scan lines overlapping each of the plurality ofadditional load layers are the same.
 10. The display apparatus of claim8, wherein each of the plurality of pixels included in the display areacomprises: a thin-film transistor comprising a semiconductor layer; anda data line connected to the thin-film transistor, wherein the pluralityof additional load layers are provided on a same layer as thesemiconductor layer, and the plurality of first driving voltage linesare provided on a same layer as the data line.
 11. The display apparatusof claim 8, wherein the plurality of additional load layers extend inthe second direction and at least partially overlap the plurality offirst driving voltage lines.
 12. The display apparatus of claim 8,wherein the plurality of additional load layers extend in the seconddirection and are spaced apart from each other.
 13. The displayapparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of connection wirescrossing the plurality of first driving voltage lines, wherein theplurality of connection wires connects the plurality of first drivingvoltage lines to each other.
 14. The display apparatus of claim 1,wherein the plurality of first driving voltage lines are covered by aninorganic protection layer.
 15. A display apparatus comprising: asubstrate comprising a penetrating portion, a first non-display areaprovided adjacent to the penetrating portion, a first display area, anda second display area spaced apart from the first display area, whereinthe penetrating portion penetrates a top surface of the substrate and abottom surface, opposite the top surface, of the substrate, and thefirst non-display area separates the first display area from the seconddisplay area; a plurality of first scan lines provided on the topsurface of the substrate, extending in a first direction, andtransmitting scan signals to a plurality of pixels included in the firstdisplay area; a plurality of second scan lines transmitting scan signalsto a plurality of pixels included in the second display area; aplurality of connection scan lines provided in the first non-displayarea and connecting the plurality of first scan lines and the pluralityof second scan lines to each other; and a plurality of first drivingvoltage lines overlapping the plurality of connection scan lines with aninsulating layer disposed therebetween.
 16. The display apparatus ofclaim 15, wherein at least one of the plurality of first driving voltagelines has a length different from that of other first driving voltagelines, and the numbers of the plurality of connection scan linesoverlapping each of the plurality of first driving voltage lines are thesame.
 17. The display apparatus of claim 15, wherein at least one of theplurality of connection scan lines is curved.
 18. The display apparatusof claim 15, wherein the plurality of connection scan lines, theplurality of first scan lines, and the plurality of second scan linesare provided on a same layer.
 19. The display apparatus of claim 15,wherein the plurality of connection scan lines includes a firstconnection scan line and a second connection scan line, wherein thefirst connection scan line is adjacent to the penetrating portion, andthe second connection scan line is farther from penetrating portion thanthe first connection scan line is, wherein the first connection scanline is longer than the second connection scan line.
 20. The displayapparatus of claim 15, wherein each of the plurality of pixelscomprises: a pixel circuit comprising a thin-film transistor and astorage capacitor; and an organic light-emitting diode electricallyconnected to the pixel circuit.
 21. A display apparatus, comprising: asubstrate including an indented region, a display area and a non-displayarea adjacent to the display area, wherein the display area includes amain area, a first display area extending from the main area, and asecond display area extending from the main area, wherein thenon-display area includes a first non-display area and a secondnon-display area, wherein the indented region is disposed between thefirst display area and the second display area and in the firstnon-display area; a plurality of first scan lines disposed in the firstdisplay area and extending along a first direction; a plurality ofsecond scan lines disposed in the second display area and extendingalong the first direction; a plurality of connection scan lines disposedin the first non-display area and connecting the plurality of first scanlines to the plurality of second scan lines; a plurality of drivingvoltage lines disposed in the display area and on the plurality ofconnection scan lines in the first non-display area, wherein aninsulating layer is disposed between the plurality of driving voltagelines and the plurality of connection scan lines in the firstnon-display area.
 22. The display apparatus of claim 21, wherein theplurality of driving voltage lines extend from the main area to thefirst non-display area and cross the plurality of connection scan linesin the first non-display area.
 23. The display apparatus of claim 21,wherein the plurality of driving voltage lines includes a first drivingvoltage line extending from the main area to the first display area anda second driving voltage line extending from the main area to the firstnon-display area, wherein the first driving voltage line has a lengthgreater than that of the second driving voltage line.